hobble

1 of 2

verb

hob·​ble ˈhä-bəl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling ˈhä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio) ; hobbles

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty
especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1
: to cause to limp : disable
2
[probably alteration of hopple to hobble]
a
: to fasten together the legs of (an animal, such as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter
b
: to place under handicap : hamper, impede
hobbler noun
plural hobblers

hobble

2 of 2

noun

1
: a hobbling movement
2
archaic : an awkward situation
3
: something used to hobble an animal

Examples of hobble in a Sentence

Verb She picked up her cane and hobbled across the room. She is sometimes hobbled by self-doubt. He has been hobbled by a knee injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The company has been hobbled by its reliance on traditional cable television networks, whose viewership has declined significantly due to cord-cutting and diminishing ratings for non-NFL programming. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The Social Democrats may have been hobbled, too, by their commitment to team leadership—which meant that no single charismatic individual represented them. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Financial activities January 2024 quits rate: 1.3% 2019 average: 1.5% Difference: -0.2% Like construction, banks and other financial firms have been hobbled by high interest rates that discourage borrowing, Begley says. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 His feet, hobbled and pained from living on the street, were a constant burden. Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 But critics say the changes have hobbled parole officers’ ability to keep both parolees and the public safe, and that long waits for limited inpatient substance abuse treatment leave parolees stuck without help. Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Stanton, however determined to capture Booth, is as hobbled as his prey. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 The truth is that the ability of the IRS to enforce the law against the most determined cheats had been hobbled for decades — by budget cuts enacted by Republicans and Democrats alike. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Maxey briefly left the court hobbled after Reed stepped on his ankle, and the Heat took a one-point lead after three quarters. Anthony Sanfilippo, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
After the hobble was applied, Ellis stopped moving, the statement said. CBS News, 22 Jan. 2024 Company Town As a Hollywood writers’ strike hobbles production, L.A. businesses brace for ripple effects May 4, 2023 Meanwhile, ISS Props tapped into the content-creator market, providing fake weights for fitness influencers and rubber weapons for internet pranksters. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 In the video, Senior Corporal Edgar Morales was shot in the calf in the initial exchange, and is seen walking with a slight hobble afterward. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 21 Nov. 2023 The city said in its Thursday release that Chauvin knelt on her for several minutes, even after she had been restrained by a hobble. Paradise Afshar, CNN, 14 Apr. 2023 Her bound ankles were pulled behind her back and attached with a hobble to a belt around her waist. NBC News, 24 May 2021 Through her years with Lil Hobbs, Kathryn has helped the dog with several health issues, including cataracts, arthritis, loose and fractured teeth, and permanent a hobble in the pup's walk. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 20 Apr. 2022 The hobble has straps that bind the ankles together, and can also attach to someone's waist. CBS News, 21 Feb. 2022 The department is replacing the hobble with a device that doesn't allow legs to be bent backwards. NBC News, 24 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hobble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hobble was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hobble

Cite this Entry

“Hobble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobble. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb
hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio)
1
a
: to walk with difficulty : limp
hobble along on crutches
b
: to make lame
hobbled by an ankle injury
2
a
: to keep from straying by tying two legs together
hobble a horse

hobble

2 of 2 noun
1
: a hobbling walk
2
: something used to hobble an animal

Medical Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb
hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio)

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty
especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1
: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2
: to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying

hobble

2 of 2 noun
: something used to hobble an animal

More from Merriam-Webster on hobble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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